Last year I was selected to be a tester for the Mother & Baby awards. I was so excited when I got the initial email asking if I still wanted to take part – of course!
In the application you have to choose the types of products you can test. For example, pregnancy, breast feeding, baby, toddler, etc. You also have to inform them on how much storage space you have so they know whether to send you larger items.
Although I have a fairly small house, I have extra storage in my cellar and shed, so I was able to apply for the larger items.
Which leads us onto this review.
The main things I look for when reviewing a pram is the ease of collapsing and putting up, the size of the hood, the size of the storage basket, the weight, and of course, that my child is safe, secure and comfortable when in the pram. Oh, and not forgetting the look and colour.
I can’t stress enough how light this pram is. It’s so easy to push around, however being so light means you need to give it a little extra nudge when going up and down kerbs. Not a problem, most of us mums are pro-pram pushers after a couple of practices!
The storage basket is amazing. It’s huge! As you can see from the photos, there is quite a bit of distance between the basket and the bottom of the seat, meaning there’s plenty of space for chunky items like shopping bags. This gets a big thumbs up from me.
The first time Lamb used this pram he cried and did not want to sit in it. Obviously I wasn’t able to ask him if that was because he was having a strop, or if he hated the pram, but I went with the first one. After a couple more trips out he learned to love his new pram and particularly loved how high he could sit up. Other prams we tested didn’t sit totally upright, but the Chrome seemed to suit Lamb better when he wanted to look around.
I also liked the size of the hood and the different stages I could open it depending on how much shade Lamb needed. The one thing that annoyed me was the way it fastened onto the back of the pram. There are little elastic ties that fasten around hooks, but these never stayed fastened. Luckily this didn’t actually affect the use of the hood, but just meant the hood would fall off when I put the pram away. Not a big deal, just something that bothered me a little.
The Chrome is real easy to collapse. After flipping the seat forward, a simple pull of a lever on the handle and the whole pram collapses, with the seat unit still attached. So good for a mum on the run!
The pram is available as a travel system, with the choice of using a car seat, pramette or seat unit on the chasis and can be parent or world facing.
With a 5 point harness, easily adjustable, I knew Lamb would be safe and secure in the Chrome. The straps were soft rather than like a seat belt, which seems to be more comfortable for the little ones. Fully reclinable, this pram is suitable from birth up to around 15kg and has a 2-position leg rest (which Lamb loved so he could put his feet up!)
I have to say I really loved this pushchair. I highly recommend it for a first time mum who requires simplicity and convenience in a pushchair. I’m not surprised to hear it won Gold in the Mother & Baby Awards!
Alex x
I love the colour, having a big basket and being easy to fold are the two things I look for too so this would be ideal for me. Thanks for sharing in #KidsCorner x
looks great love the colour of it! and I am loving the size of that basket we’ve just gone on to a stroller and the baskets not great I miss my big one! thanks for linking up to #kidscorner x
Love this. I want a smaller more compact pram. would love to see a picture of it folded down.
Steph | http://www.raisingemily.net x
Sorry hun I completely forgot you wanted a photo folded down. I’ll look for one tomorrow for you xx
I am a pushchair addict too. I’m on my 4th for current baby and she Sony 16 months. I also had 4 different ones for my now three year old. The joie that you have reviewed looks very similar to the oyster that I had and loved but it also had to be taken apart to fold. Now that my youngest is older we have the petite star zia and we’re loving it. She has plenty more room but the basket is a pita. Too small and can’t really get to it, much like the zapp I guess. Great post. I would love to get the opportunity to review items. Maybe one day 😉
We had a zia last year and I loved it but I just couldn’t cope with the small basket and tiny hood! I moved on to a zapp and now have a baby jogger. Love the chrome but I think it’s better for a baby xx
I love the look of this pushchair every time I see it. We have a Joie, not this one – just a little buggy, but it’s fab. Stood out because it’s electric blue hehe! Also have a Joie car seat in mum’s car. I hadn’t heard of them until more recently but they are defo becoming a favourite brand! I love buggies, all kinds. Bit of an obsession and in no way purposefully busted all ones we have so far so that if we have another baby, I get to buya whole new one haha!! #Kids Corner
Ha! I’m obsessed too! I’m also a fan of Joie. Very good products xx
Ohhhh I love this pram! I need a new one but have to persuade the hubby as I have a bit of a pram obsession (at one point I had 5! ooppsss!!!) but we are down to just one now so maybe, maybe he will say yes!! 🙂
This looks really nice, I like that it’s high off the ground. I’ve resisted buying a smaller stroller as I don’t like how low they are, especially when using in the city and at bus exhaust pipe level! Great write up.
Looks nice and lightweight. We are looking for a stroller at the moment! #Kidtested